ScienceScopewww.csir.co.za PUBLICATION OF THE CSIR | VOLUME 6 | NUMBER 3 | FEBRUARY 2013 SOUTH AFRICA’S COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH Improving impact through licensing and ventures FOREWORD THE CSIR’S OPERATING UNITS, NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRES AND SERVICES Improving impact through licensing > CSIR Biosciences Pretoria 012 841-3260 > CSIR Built Environment and venture creation Pretoria 012 841-3871 Stellenbosch 021 888-2508 > CSIR Defence, Peace, Safety Beyond the CSIR’s significant contribution to the global knowledge base, we are determined to ensure and Security that our work has quantifiable economic, environmental and social benefits. One of the ways to attain Pretoria 012 841-2780 > CSIR Materials Science and this is to improve our transfer of technology and innovations to third parties. Manufacturing Pretoria 012 841-4392 We recognise that innovation have arisen from the collective There are many examples of to national imperatives such CSIR Licensing and ventures Johannesburg 011 482-1300 implies dissemination and efforts of our multidisciplinary technologies and services with as the creation of decent Port Elizabeth 041 508-3200 Pretoria 012 841 4212 [email protected] uptake and that for an invention competence base. In all of these CSIR roots that have been employment through inclusive Cape Town 021 685-4329 to become an innovation, it cases the technology readiness transformed as technologies economic growth, poverty > CSIR Modelling and Digital Science needs to be implemented or is at an advanced stage. In some merged and grew. The CSIR reduction and the development Compiled by Pretoria 012 841-3298 used by the market and society. cases, such as the portable hosted the very first Internet of vibrant, equitable and CSIR Strategic Communication > CSIR Natural Resources and The term ‘third parties’ hints at landing lights, the technology service provider in South sustainable rural communities. the Environment the diversity of actors needed was first developed for a specific Africa, for example. Today In this publication, two such Pretoria 012 841-4005 Editorial team for innovation, and the implied client with great uptake and very little of that service is undertakings are featured. Stellenbosch 021 888-2400 Alida Britz interdependencies. These success. It has since been recognisable, but we take Durban 031 242-2300 (Content Manager) parties all hold knowledge that modified, with exciting potential pride in having played a part We trust that you will enjoy Pietermaritzburg 033 260-5446 is essential for true innovation for application elsewhere. in its evolution. this edition of ScienceScope Thabo Ditsele Nelspruit 013 759-8036 and invite your feedback via (Editor) to occur. We also feature some success Arguably, one of the biggest [email protected]. > CSIR Consulting and Analytical Services In this edition of ScienceScope, stories: outputs that have been impacts CSIR research has Pretoria 012 841-2525 Writers successfully licensed or have Stellenbosch 021 658-2766 we are giving you a glimpse had on an industry, is in Bandile Sikwane into our efforts in licensing become the basis for new the development of the Cottesloe 011 482-1300 Biffy van Rooyen and venture creation as a companies. Some technologies lithium ion battery, which Modderfontein 011 605-2452 Christa van der Merwe mechanism of technology have been in use for decades has literally changed the > CSIR Meraka Institute Mzimasi Gcukumana transfer. Details on the and their impacts are world. All major lithium Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, Pretoria 012 841-3028 Sibusiso Ralarala CSIR CEO organisation’s view in this undeniable. The heavy vehicle ion battery manufacturers Cape Town (Centre for High Performance regard are contained in an simulator has earned South have been licensees of CSIR Computing) 021 658-2740 Photography interview with Dr Sean Africa more than R200 million patented intellectual property. Apsci > CSIR National Laser Centre in foreign revenue since 1994 Monsoon Photography Moolman, group manager: The person behind the Pretoria 012 841-4188 while the PUDU sense-and- istockphoto licensing and ventures, whom 1994 invention was world- > CSIR Centre for Mining Innovation Shutterstock I appointed to this position a deploy system is regarded as renowned scientist, Johannesburg 011 358-0000 year ago. a contributor to the continued Dr Michael Thackeray. decline in cash-in-transit > CSIR Strategic Initiatives Group Design and production In the first section of this heists. The development of a A publication on venture Pretoria 012 841-4127 Creative Vision – 082 338 3742 publication, opportunities camera that visually displays creation would not be for uptake of technologies the corona discharge around complete without reference are outlined. High potential defective, high voltage electrical to our organisation’s activities opportunities in sectors equipment and cabling has in enterprise creation such as health, advanced proven extremely useful for for development. These manufacturing and defence power utilities worldwide. activities are in response Printed on Hi Q TitanTM art paper. Manufactured from TCF pulp (Totally Chlorine Free), Acid Free and Recyclable. Only wood from sustainable forests used. ISO 9001 and 14001 certification. Environment and Quality Management Certified. Hi Q is manufactured in accordance with the most stringent environmental protection and sustainable development standards. HEAVY VEHICLE SIMulator INTRODUCTION 4 SUCCESSES IN LICENSING & VENTURES 34 • An invention in bomb disposal continues to make an impact .....................34 OPPORTUNITIES FOR LICENSING & VENTURES 8 • Heavy Vehicle Simulator – An enduring legacy with a trajectory well into the future .............................................................................36 36 • A new microsphere technology set to overhaul life-sciences research • Foiling cash-in-transit heists ..................................................................38 and development .................................................................................8 • Mobile Internet TV broadcasting ...........................................................40 • Genetically modified tobacco plants deliver a cheaper, better rabies antidote ..........................................................................10 • Seeing what is invisible to the naked eye ..............................................42 • Better primary health care services for pregnant women...........................12 • From polymer technology to cosmetic products .......................................44 • Using biological expression systems to manufacture therapeutic peptides ....14 • Lobsight technology gets it ‘right on target’ ............................................45 • Challenging the tradition of 2D cell culturing ...........................................16 • An invention resonates with a local laser manufacturer .............................46 • Harnessing the power of nature for better health .....................................18 • CSIR and Afrox in licensing deal ............................................................48 • Low-cost technology for mass production of arrayed • Electronic sounding device for mines commercialised ...............................49 miniaturised experiments .....................................................................20 • An innovative way of delivering broadband to rural South Africa ................22 COMMERCIAL VENTURES WITH CSIR ROOTS 50 • Preventing derailments caused by broken rails ........................................24 • Finding new applications for semi-solid metal casting ...............................26 • Converting waste to energy through fluidised bed processing ....................50 • CSIR develops a protocol for underground mine networks .........................28 • From a research tool for the few to an everyday commodity – The CSIR and the early days of Internet services in SA .............................54 • Home-grown borehole radar system ......................................................29 FLUIDISED BED PROCESSING MOSQUITO REPELLENT CANDLE • Lighting for safer landing .....................................................................30 • Boots to limit landmine injury ..............................................................32 ENTERPRISE CREATION FOR DEVELOPMENT 56 MODIFIED TOBACCO PLANTS 10FOR RABIES DRUG DELIVERING 22RURAL BROADBAND • Increased food and beverage shelf-life through polymer technology ............33 • Winning recipe for a ‘home-grown’ mosquito repellent candle ...................56 • Local mussels are ‘lekker’ – 50 56 Supporting production of South African seafood ......................................58 SNIPPETS 60 AN INVENTION resonates WITH A LOCAL LASER Manufacturer 46 HOME-GROWN BOREHOLE29 RADAR SYSTEM LIGHTING FOR30 SAFER LANDING INTRODUCTION Transforming ideas into innovations “There are more CSIR Technology transfer: PhDs, and the same number of technology through licensing studentships supported in the and venture creation, points technology opportunities in the One route to impact past financial year. Knowledge out Moolman. A World In the research, development transfer is an equally well- Intellectual Property early stages of maturity than and innovation (RDI) trodden route to impact for the Organization (WIPO) report there are resources to help landscape, the term CSIR. The organisation produces published in 2009 and ‘technology transfer’ is widely a myriad of reports, findings surveying